Elections: Police Deploy 8,000 Personnel to Benue, Ban VIP’s Escorts

The Police Command in Benue state, North-central Nigeria, has deployed eight thousand (8,000) personnel to provide adequate security coverage for the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 25th February, 2023, and banned VIP aides, escorts and state-owned security.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue state, Mr. Wale Abass, who disclosed this while briefing officers and men of the Command also directed the personnel to be courteous, professional and apolitical in the discharge of their duties.

The Police Commissioner also announced the restriction of movement, the ban on the use of sirens, involvement of state-owned security outfits and the use of security aides even as he warned escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election.

He stated that the restriction of movement became necessary as part of measures emplaced to ensure a secured environment, safety of electorates, prevention of hoodlums and criminally minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.

‘The IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc, NPM, NEAPS, fdc, CFR, has ordered a restriction of all forms of vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation, from 12 a.m to 6 p.m on 25th February, 2023 with the exception of those on essential services such as the INEC officials, electoral observers, ambulances responding to medical emergencies, firefighters, etc.

‘Only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties would be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.

‘Also, the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses is still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately,’ he said.

The Police Commissioner, who said the orders of the Inspector General of Police would be strictly obeyed and enforced, however, warned that state-owned security outfits and other private security organizations have been barred from participating in the election security management.

While regretting the inconveniences the restriction may cause citizens, the Commissioner of Police urged all active electorates to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.

He, however, added that the Command will not hesitate to deal decisively with persons who will choose to engage in any form of mal-practices and violence.

The Police Commissioner also made public the following telephone numbers to tackle emergency situations throughout the election period:

0806 600 6475
0708 325 0154
0805 749 3117
0706 737 4913.